SAT Structure and Content Overview

Flashcards covering the structure, timing, content domains, and question types of the Reading and Writing and Math sections of the SAT.

SAT Total Duration

$2\,hours$ and $14\,minutes$ ($134\,minutes$ total).

Reading and Writing Section Timing

A total of $64\,minutes$ consisting of two $32$-minute modules.

Math Section Timing

A total of $70\,minutes$ consisting of two $35$-minute modules.

SAT Question Totals

$98$ questions in total, with $54$ questions in Reading and Writing and $44$ questions in Math.

Adaptive Module Structure

The first module contains a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions; the difficulty of the second module depends on performance in the first.

Reading and Writing Passage Length

Short passages ranging from $25$ to $150$ words representing literature, history/social studies, humanities, and science.

Information and Ideas

A content domain measuring comprehension, analysis, reasoning, and the ability to interpret informational graphics like tables, bar graphs, and line graphs.

Craft and Structure

A content domain measuring vocabulary in context, rhetorical evaluation of texts, and synthesis of topically related texts.

Expression of Ideas

A content domain measuring the ability to revise texts to improve written expression and meet specific rhetorical goals.

Standard English Conventions

A content domain measuring the ability to edit text to conform to core conventions of sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.

In-context ("word") Questions

Approximately $30\%$ of Math questions set in science, social studies, or real-world scenarios.

Algebra (Math Category)

Measures the ability to analyze and solve linear equations, linear inequalities, and systems of equations; includes $13$ to $15$ questions.

Advanced Math

Focuses on STEM-related math including absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations; includes $13$ to $15$ questions.

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis

Measures quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and statistical analysis; includes $5$ to $7$ questions.

Geometry and Trigonometry

Measures the ability to solve problems regarding area and volume, lines, angles, triangles, and circles; includes $5$ to $7$ questions.

Student-produced response (SPR)

A question format used for approximately $25\%$ of the Math section where students generate and enter their own answer rather than selecting from options.